Wriggling Heat Sinks

YourHero writes "Purdue researchers have come up with a new way to cool chips, in about 2 years. Just build a bunch of little piezoelectric fans (the waving kind, not the spinning kind). Since they don't spin, no bearings, less self-generated heat. Since they don't have magnets, no electromagnetic noise problems. And, of course, super-efficient. A press release and abstract for your reading pleasure. Formal presentation at THERMES 2002 Jan 15th."

Comments

Piezoelectric fans are already available

[Harumuka]

At least from Piezo Systems Inc. in Cambridge, MA. Their specs are worth reproducing:

• Input Voltage: 115VAC, 60 Hz
  
• Capacitance: 15 nF
  
• Power Consumption: 30 mW
  
• Volume Flow Rate: 2 CFM, (0.9 l/s)
  
• Peak Air Velocity: 400 FPM, (2.0 m/s)
  
• Weight: 2.8 grams
  
• Mounting: #2-56 clr. holes, 2 places
  
• Temperature Range: -20 C to 70 C
  
• EMI/RFI: None
  

However, they're not cheap. Pricing starts at $149. Additionally there is a Piezoelectric Resonant Blade Element. Interesting stuff. Hopefully mass production of piezoelectric fans will lower their price to the average customer range.

Piezo fans? Old hat.

[FFFish]

Here's a picture of an old-style piezo fan

You used to be able to buy piezo fans for the old Mac Classic (read the list near the bottom of the page).

IOW, piezo fans have been around since the mid-to-late 80's. Now, yes, I'll admit that they weren't very efficient (as in, they didn't move a lot of air)... but the concept has been there for eons.

Answer: what is piezoelectric?

[Jucius Maximus]

For those who are unaware, piezoelectric crystals are items that will change shape under the application of an electric field and/or generate a potential difference (i.e. a voltage) when squeezed.

They're used in inkjet printers - they're in ink some cartridge when an electric field is applied to them and they change shape, forcing the ink out of the I also hear the they used them in the ipod for some sort of playlist control mechanism.